Showing posts with label childrens literature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label childrens literature. Show all posts

3/01/2012

Eloise: The Ultimate Edition Review

Eloise: The Ultimate Edition
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This is the book about Eloise that Eloise would buy. As you may remember, Eloise is the six-year-old who lives on the top floor of The Plaze Hotel in New York City with her English Nanny, pug (Weenie), and turtle (Skipperdee). Here are some of the ways that Eloise has been characterized: "Holden Caulfield for kindergarten girls"; "a mini-Auntie Mame -- a protofeminist"; and "independent and saucy."
Contained in this volume are the original Eloise story, the Scrapbook by Marie Brenner (containing the origins of Eloise and the story, and biographies of Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight, and how readers responded to the stories as they appeared), and the three sequels (Eloise in Paris, Eloise at Christmastime, and Eloise in Moscow). Each of the four stories contains the deluxe fold-out drawings from the original books, and the Scrapbook has many wonderful photographs and drawings that will delight those who would like to know more background about Eloise and her creators.
With one exception, the material is outstanding. The story, Eloise in Moscow, is very poor in its humor and plot line. But having the story in this collection will allow you to savor those parts of the story that happen to appeal to you.
The reproduction is also superb, except for the frontispieces of the four stories. These should simply have been omitted.
I usually avoid recommending expensive editions, but this one is a good value. It contains all the best material about Eloise, and you may have trouble finding the same versions by buying the books separately. Also, this edition is likely to be a hand-me-down item from one generation to another and another. The cost per reader is probably going to be quite small as a result.
To me, the best of the four stories is still the original. Reading the Scrapbook adds a lot to my enjoyment of that story. Of the sequels, I like Eloise in Paris best. Some people will not like Eloise at Christmastime because Kay Thompson's rhymes are not the best. I can enjoy fractured verse, so I found it appealing instead.
Space does not permit me to review each of these sections in detail here, but you can read my reviews of each story elsewhere on Amazon for the individual books. I gave five star reviews to all but Eloise in Moscow, to which I gave a two star review.
After you have enjoyed this book, I suggest that you grab a partner who also loves Eloise and write a new Eloise story that brings her into the 21st century in a locale and at a time of your choice. Then find a young person to read that story to, and draw some illustrations together. That will add to your enjoyment of this book and of your love of Eloise.
J'aime beaucoup Eloise . . . toujours!

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2/18/2012

Eloise: The Absolutely Essential 50th Anniversary Edition Review

Eloise: The Absolutely Essential 50th Anniversary Edition
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I purchased this book for my granddaughter, and almost couldn't give it to her because I wanted to keep it for myself! It has the traditional Eloise stories, which are great, but the real jewel here is the back section of the book. In this section you'll find photos of many of the Eloise products through the years, and a lovely history of the little girl and how she grew to be America's most precocious, most lovable six year old.


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1/16/2012

Vampire Trouble (Bailey City Monsters) Review

Vampire Trouble (Bailey City Monsters)
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Madame Hauntly, Mrs. Jeepers mother is going to the Hauntly Manor inn. When Carrey finds out that madame hauntly is a vampire, she puts sign in the neighborhood mean signs.

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Bailey City is full of some pretty weird grown-ups, especially the Hauntly family of the Hauntly Manor Inn. Madame Hauntly cheers the kids on at soccer games, but she also sleeps in the dirt and has long creepy fangs.

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12/02/2011

Eloise Takes A Bawth Review

Eloise Takes A Bawth
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There is nothing so refreshing, so enlivening, or inviting, there is nothing so delicious as a bawth. Eloise, that irrepressible and precocious nymph, just about sinks the Plaza Hotel as she splawshes, dives, plays and swims in the tub, tub, tub of her penthouse bawthroom. Drips, drops, leaks, and waterfalls begin to spout all over the building, and the manager, Mr Salomone is beside himself as he watches all his hard work on the Venetian Masked Ball, to be held that very evening in the Grand Ballroom, turn wet, soggy, and almost float away. "ELOISE/thanks to you/the Plaza's through through through/flooded floor to floor/stem to stern/door to door/The Venetain ball's a bust/Come down with me/I want you to see/the mess you've made!" But has Eloise's bawthtub antics really ruined the ball? No, of course not. In her own inimitable way, she's actually saved the day, and the Venetian Masked Ball turns out to be the sensation of the social season..... Written in the early sixties, though never published, Kay Thompson's Eloise Takes A Bawth finally makes its long-awaited debut with the help of playwright Mart Crowley and the stunning and imaginative artwork of her long-time collaborator, Hilary Knight. Ms Thompson's engaging and lyrical text is filled with her trademark energy and wit. But it's Mr Knight's captivating artwork that really steals the show. Each bold and busy pen and ink illustration is rich in subtle color, brilliant, eye-catching detail, and marvelous facial expressions, and youngsters will want to linger and explore every inch of each fun-filled page. Especially noteworthy is a dazzling four page fold-out of the masked ball in all its New York, social scene glory, and a creative and playful look behind the walls, at the Plaza's intricate plumbing system. Perfect for kids from 4 to 94, Eloise Takes A Bawth is a veritable feast for the eyes and ears, and a treasured masterpiece to read and share with friends and family now, and future generations in the years to come. "Now Eloise's forty-year bawth is finally drawn. Soak away."

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9/09/2011

Eloise: UN Libro Para Adultos Precoces Sobre Una Nina Que Vive En El Hotel Plaza (Spanish Edition) Review

Eloise: UN Libro Para Adultos Precoces Sobre Una Nina Que Vive En El Hotel Plaza (Spanish Edition)
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As we all know, Eloise is six and she lives at the Plaza Hotel with her Nanny who says things three times, her dog Weenie, her turtle Skipperdee and two dolls. When I was a child, I adored this book and wanted to be just like Eloise. She does whatever she wants and gets away with it.
As an adult, I feel so sorry for Eloise because her mother only sends for her when it's sunny and otherwise isn't present. What a poor little girl to grow up so alone!
However, this is a tremendously humorous and beautifully illustrated classic that can always make me grin from ear to ear. I looooovve room service too! Oh, and charge it please. Thank you very much.

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Eloise is a little girl who lives at The Plaza Hotel in New York. She is not yet pretty but she is already a Person. Henry James would want to study her. Queen Victoria would recognize her as an Equal. The New York Jets would want to have her on their side. Lewis Carroll would love her (once he got over the initial shock). She knows everything about The Plaza. She is interested in people when they are not boring. She has Inner Resources. If you take her home with you, you will always be glad you did.--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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